Eeuwfeest van de Hogeschool te Utrecht, vereerd aan de studenten 1736

This Utrecht University centennial medal presents a rich array of symbols, capturing the interplay between knowledge, enlightenment, and divine power. Dominating the scene is Sol Justitiae, the sun of justice, radiating light upon a figure emerging from darkness, embodying knowledge dispelling ignorance. This motif of enlightenment isn't isolated; it echoes through history. Consider the Mithraic mysteries, where light triumphs over darkness, or the Christian concept of Christ as the "light of the world." Here, the sun, an age-old symbol of divinity and reason, takes on a new life within the context of academic pursuit, illustrating a powerful metaphor for education. It connects earthly knowledge and divine wisdom, reflecting humanity's deep-seated yearning for understanding. Such images tap into a collective memory, triggering subconscious associations and deeply felt emotions, constantly reshaped as they recur through time.